Archive | November, 2013

The folks at Canyonview Cyclery are getting in touch with their security system provider, after it appears that their burglar alarm failed. Around 8:30 yesterday morning, employees at a neighboring business called 911, reporting that there were two broken windows at the bike store. A Canyonview employee checked things out, and reported that one bike was missing, a Raleigh Detour valued at about $600. The Canyonview say that the building is equipped with an alarm that supposed to go off when the glass is broken, but this is the second time that the system has failed to trigger. No suspects have been identified.

After a slight technical glitch, the recall petition for Cowlitz PUD Commissioner Ned Piper is back in the pipeline. Bill Ammons, Chuck Wallace and Doug Irvine had submitted the original petition about two weeks ago; the Daily News reports that County Prosecutor Sue Baur rejected that petition, because the petitioners had failed to verify the charges under oath. After taking that oath, the trio resubmitted the petition, alleging that Piper acted outside the authority of the commission and tried to intimidate employees. Baur will now determine if the petition meets legal requirements; if it gets past that review, then a Superior Court Judge will make a decision on the validity of the claims. If the petition gets through that review, then the petitioners would need to collect about 8,000 signatures to put the recall on the ballot.

A crabbing trip near the mouth of the Columbia River on Sunday turned into a rescue effort for Jeff and Cindy Moses of Kelso, as the couple helped to get four men out of the water when their fishing boat sank. The Moses’ were out by the Ilwaco Channel at about 11 am on Sunday, preparing their crab traps when another boat tried to go around them. As that aluminum boat went around, it hit some submerged rocks, and then sunk immediately. Jeff and Cindy Moses helped to get four of the men out of the water, while a second boat rescued a fifth man. No injuries were reported; the Coast Guard is continuing to investigate the incident.

The ability for Community House on Broadway to deliver a number of services to the local area is getting a boost from a group of local doctors, as they donate the old Internal Medicine Clinic building on 14th Avenue to the social service agency. In a press release, the doctors that used to work in the clinic say that they want to leave a “lasting legacy” of their commitment to the health and well-being of the community. Community House Director Frank Morrison says that this is a huge gift, and will help them be better able to deliver a number of different services, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment and other social services. The 10,000 square-foot building has been empty since January of last year, when PeaceHealth moved those clinicians into the main complex at St. John Medical Center. An open house is being planned at the facility from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 3rd. Community House is also in need of materials to help fill the building, things like office phones, desks, furniture and computers. They’re also looking for donations of a sprinkler system and other start-up funding. If you would like to help out, call Community House on Broadway at 425-8679.

A “safety challenge” at KapStone Kraft Paper of Longview is paying off for Community Home Health and Hospice, as the mill’s employees are donating $10,000 to the local care facility. Officials with KapStone say that the Longview employees regularly demonstrate their “courage to care,” offering reminders and tips on safe work habits. Senior mill leaders had issued the safety challenge, with a $10,000 charitable contribution on the line as an incentive. Mill Manager Paul Duncan says that this was the first time that they had added this kind of incentive, giving them the opportunity to accomplish two things at once. They were able to encourage safety in the work place, along with an opportunity to encourage community giving. Mike Barbee is a maintenance department planner, and was a safety co-chair in that department. Company officials say that he’s been active in fostering a safe work place for many years, and was “very impressed” by the employee participation. Barbee also says that he was encouraged by the decision to donate to Community Home Health and Hospice, saying that it was unanimous across all departments. CHHH CEO Greg Pang says that this is an “overwhelming” display from the employees at KapStone.

The Trail Blazers collected an 11th straight win last night as they beat the New York Knicks 102-91. It’s the third longest win streak in franchise history. Blazers at Phoenix tomorrow night…..The Huskies host Montana in men’s college hoops tonight, KLOG 5:30 pm. The Grizzlies feature former MM star Eric Hutchison. Dayton upset Gonzaga 84-79 at the Maui Classic last night. The Zags play Chaminade today…..The Seahawks are looking for another cornerback after Brandon Browner was suspended for a year for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The Hawks are looking to sign a cornerback this week…..The Mariners announced that President and COO Chuck Armstrong will retire on January 31st after 28 years of service to the organization.

Comalo L. Curley, 49, of Longview is listed in serious condition at St. John Medical Center after a car-versus-bicycle collision yesterday afternoon at West Side Highway and Nevada Drive, a collision that Curley may have caused himself. State Troopers say that Curley was riding a bicycle around 4:45 pm yesterday, going north on West Side Highway. Witnesses say that Curley intentionally swerved into traffic, and was hit by a car driven by Mary Mabey, 67, of Kelso. Traffic on West Side Highway was snarled for some time after the collision, and at least two other minor collisions took place in the traffic backup. Authorities say that Curley had been involved in some self-damaging activities prior to yesterday afternoon’s incident, so it’s assumed that he chose to swerve in front of Mabey’s car. No citations are being issued at this time.

A 25 year-old transient is under arrest after an incident reported yesterday morning in the Mint Farm Industrial Park. People working in the area called the Sheriff’s Office at about 10:45 am, saying that there was a man in the area, loitering, acting strangely and “doing weird things to fire hydrants.” A second call came from workers at Flexible Foam, where the suspect reportedly said that he was “just exercising.” Deputies arrived and met with Brady Mitchell Kendig, 25, finding that he had a Department of Corrections warrant connected to a previous drug conviction. Additional charges are also possible.

Scappoose Police are still working to find the man who robbed the Chase Bank branch inside the Fred Meyer store on Friday afternoon. The robbery took place a few minutes before 4:30 Friday afternoon; they say that a man wearing dark clothing with a tattoo on his neck got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. K-9 units were brought in to try and track the suspect, looking for a man wearing a black jacket, black pants, a black backpack and a red ball cap. An extensive search was conducted, including an extensive effort near Warren when a man was seen running down Highway 30 near Malarkey Ranch. Law enforcement did stop one man, but they determined he was not the suspect. He was eventually released. The investigation is continuing.

The Seahawks will be without cornerback Walter Thurmond, who is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. It’s a non-PED issue…..The Timbers season ended last night with a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake. Salt Lake moves on to the MLS Cup against Sporting Kansas City…..The Trail Blazers are looking or an 11th straight win tonight when the host the New York Knicks, KLOG 6:05 pm…..The LCC men’s basketball team is preparing for the season opener Friday night at 8 pm against SW Oregon, part of the 8-team Red Devil Classic at MM. The LCC women’s team opened the season splitting two games at North Idaho College over the weekend…..A great season for MM football ended Saturday with a 41-22 playoff loss to Prosser.